Governor Announces Funds For Housing Study
Gov. Greg Gianforte announced last week an investment of up to $1 million to conduct a statewide study to determine the appropriate level of funding needed to help supplement housing costs for low-income Montanans served in the state’s behavioral health system.
As recommended by the Behavioral Health System for Future Generations Commission, the investment represents the next allocation of $300 million in funding proposed by the governor last year to reform and improve Montana’s behavioral health and developmental disabilities services systems.
“Access to affordable, stable housing is critical to ensure Montana youth, adults, and families can meet their behavioral health needs,” Gov. Gianforte said in a statement. “As the nation continues to grapple with a shortage of affordable housing, we need to ensure at-risk Montanans have access to the support they need. This study will allow the state to make the most effective and efficient use of our resources to take care of vulnerable Montanans.”
The one-time funding will be transferred to the Montana Department of Commerce, which will work in partnership with the Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services to conduct the Fair Market Rent Reevaluation Study.
“The BHSFG Commission recognizes that stable housing is fundamental and critical to ensuring that the behavioral health and developmental disabilities needs of Montanans are met,” DPHHS Director Charlie Brereton said in a statement. “The study will help maximize housing funding to support as many low-income Montanans as possible.”
Brereton said the Commission brought this proposal forward because low-income individuals served by the state’s behavioral health and developmental disabilities systems are increasingly unable to access affordable housing. Through the study, information will be gathered on current rental rates throughout the state to help determine the funding necessary to supplement federal rental assistance, the Governor’s office said.
Access to housing is shown to significantly improve outcomes for vulnerable individuals, reduce strain on the health care system, and yield significant cost savings to emergency services.
In addition, studies show children whose families receive vouchers for rental housing change schools less frequently, are less likely to be placed in foster care, and experience fewer sleep disruptions and behavior problems.
